Orioles vs. Rangers (August 1): Target the total tonight in Texas

After ending an otherwise great month on a sour note with a disappointing weekend in Cincinnati, the Baltimore Orioles will look to start a new month with a win as they open their series with the Texas Rangers tonight in Arlington.

By going 16-9 in July, Baltimore jumped into the thick of the AL wild-card race. However, they ended the month by losing the final two games against the Reds over the weekend after winning Friday’s series opener.

As a result, they make the trip to the Lone Star State three games out of the third and final AL wild-card spot, which is currently occupied by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Still, it is pretty incredible to be talking about the Orioles in this way heading into the final two months of the season when they were 11 games under .500 in mid-June.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Baltimore Orioles (51-51, 22-31 away, 4th in the AL East) vs. Texas Rangers (46-55, 21-26 home, 3rd in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, Texas)
• Date: Monday, August 1, 2022
• Game Time: 8:05 p.m. Eastern Time (7:05 p.m. local time)

Orioles vs. Rangers Pitching Matchup

• Baltimore Orioles: Spenser Watkins (2022: 13 starts, 3-1, 4.03 ERA)
• Texas Rangers: Jon Gray (2022: 18 starts, 7-5, 3.62 ERA)

Orioles vs. Rangers Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from other reputable online betting sites that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Baltimore Orioles +134
• Texas Rangers -158

Over/Under

• Over 7.5 (-118)
• Under 7.5 (-104)

Run Line

• Baltimore Orioles +1.5 (-156)
• Texas Rangers -1.5 (+130)

Are the Eyes of Texas Upon the Over in Arlington?

When Spenser Watkins last faced the Rangers on July 6, he had one of the best outings of his young MLB career. In 6.2 innings, he allowed just one run, four hits, and one walk in a 2-1 win for him and the Orioles.

But that was in Baltimore, and there’s a good chance we see a few more runs on the board tonight at Globe Life Field.

In nine of Watkins’ starts this season, there have been eight or more combined runs nine times. On the opposing side, there have been eight or more runs ten times in Gray’s 18 starts this season.

Watkins has gotten decent run support for the most part, and so has Gray. The Orioles have scored four or more runs in eight of his starts, while the Rangers have scored four or more runs in 11 of Gray’s 18 starts.

The Rangers are also one of MLB’s best over teams, ranking tenth in that category entering today’s slate. The hit rate is higher in their games as a favorite (20-14-3) than as an underdog (28-33-3). It is also a shade higher in their home games (22-21-4) than in their road games (26-26-2).

Additionally, the over is 6-2-0 the last eight times the totals for a Rangers game has been 7.5 or lower.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers Prediction and Picks

Orioles vs. Rangers Prediction: Rangers to win

Orioles vs. Rangers Picks: Orioles/Rangers over 7.5 (Best Value: -118 at BetOnline) and Rangers team total over 4 runs (Best Value: -120 at BetOnline & Bovada Sportsbook)

The Rangers lost in Gray’s most recent start against the Mariners last Wednesday, but they are 7-2 in his last nine starts and have scored four or more runs in all seven wins.

The Rangers also enter August after scoring five or more runs in each of the last three games of their series against the Angels. I like them to continue that production as they pick up the win tonight at home.

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